BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2

American giants BFGoodrich are a household name when it comes to all-terrain tyres, having been in production since 1976. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is by no means a new tyre now, but it has stood the test of time like the previous K02 tyre. In fact, the BFG team claim this is the toughest all-terrain tyre they have ever made, with increased traction offered in mud and snow (which they have independently tested). The KO2 is claimed to last longer too, with BFG saying the KO2 tyre tread design and rubber formulation helps it last twice as long on gravel and 15 percent longer on bitumen than the previous KO all-terrain. CoreGard technology developed in Baja is said to offer resistance to splits and bruises on sidewalls, with thicker extended shoulders as well.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 697

Light truck and all-terrain tyres don’t need to ride rough and sound like a helicopter is chasing you down the highway, which is where less aggressive tread patterns such as the Dueler A/T 697 come into play. While less aggressive in appearance, there is still plenty of off-road cred with this tyre, such as a tread pattern design with a reduced tread void ratio, which is claimed to minimise puncture risk. Bridgestone tell us the A/T 697 has a deep tread, long-life compound as well as superior cut and chip resistance, which are all very important factors in a touring all-terrain tyre.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 18-inch diameter.

COOPER AT3LT

The Cooper AT3 is available in a wide range of options depending on what you need, from comfy passenger construction up to off-road-ready light truck. The options you have here include the AT3XLT, AT3LT and AT34S, all packed with their own unique features and benefits. We’ve personally used the Cooper AT3LT all over Australia on the crew vehicle supporting Pat Callinan while producing his television show. The reason they last has loads to do with the silica compound selected by Cooper, which is claimed to provide more grip and extended tread life. Micro Gauge Siping helps in wet weather, and allows the blocks to interlock, again designed to enhance grip for the life of the tyre. And lastly, those nice, deep tread blocks Cooper are famous for is just one of the talking points of this tyre. Cooper stand by their product too it seems, with an 80,000km warranty offered.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

COOPER S/T MAXX

Cooper call their S/T MAXX a heavy-duty all-terrain, and one look at it shows you why. This is an aggressive all-terrain tyre, built with Armor-Tek3 construction that sees an additional third ply laid on at an eight-degree angle. Cooper says this provides over 2.5 times more tear and impact damage resistance compared to a standard two-ply tyre. Enhanced buttress design is claimed to provide extra traction and protection on the sidewall, while stone ejector ribs assist in pushing out pebbles, avoiding stone drilling. Other features include silica and natural rubber tread compound, Micro Gauge Siping for enhanced wet weather performance, and unique Y-block tread pattern, which is claimed to maximise on and off-road grip.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

Time to buy a new set of 4X4 all-terrain tyres? We do the hard work for you with our massive 2019 all-terrain tyre buyers’ guide

We ran an article called the ‘Essential Guide to All-Terrain Tyres’ in Unsealed 4X4 a few years back, and to this day it’s our most-read article. Ever. So we thought, why not revisit it – but with a twist. We didn’t want to get into too much technical detail, we’ve done that before too. What we wanted to achieve here, was to build the best detailed collection of all-terrain tyres that are now available in 2019. We also wanted to give you the ability to comment on each tyre, and provide your opinion of their performance based on your experience. This will build a pool of real-world reviews for all to see. So if something worked well on your trip around Australia, we want to hear about it. If something works well on your local beach, we want to hear about it … and if something went wrong, we sure as heck want to hear about that too. Oh, we are only going to focus on all-terrain tyres with a light truck construction (LT) because this is a 4WD magazine at the end of the day. So, which 4X4 all-terrain tyres should you buy in 2019?

DICK CEPEK FUN COUNTRY

This is one of the original hybrid off-road tyres; we used to refer to it in the industry as the ‘desert tyre’. It had a reputation for being damn near bulletproof and extremely long-lasting (we’re taking the high road here and not making jokes about the name). In more recent years, the Dick Cepek team have reinvented the Fun Country, with a striking update to the visuals of the tyre. There are aggressive side-biters, a new and improved tread compound designed to offer improved protection from cuts and chips, and a reinforced three-ply sidewall for puncture resistance. The tight inner tread pattern offers solid road handling, while the wide alternating tread grooves allows the Fun Country to dig dig dig for traction.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

DUNLOP GRANDTREK AT3G

While certainly not a hybrid or aggressive all-terrain tyre, the Dunlop Grandtrek AT3G offers a stronger carcass to that wimpy tyre your 4WD came fitted with. This is due to what Dunlop dub the tough tectonic construction that boosts performance in off-road settings and resists cuts and punctures. A deep tread pattern helps clear mud and snow, and hey, more rubber should equate to a longer-lasting tyre. Dunlop has also incorporated high tread blocks for solid traction and handling in the wet. While only available in limited sizes, the sizes available are suitable for the vehicles you can imagine would benefit from this all-terrain. Think Prado and you’re on the right track.

Available to suit rims from 16 to 18-inch diameter.

FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W

Tyres aren’t just round and black pieces of rubber; there is a surprising amount of technology that goes into them. The Wildpeak AT3W from Falken has been engineered to be a true all-weather tyre, or as Falken refer to them, a tyre engineered for adventure. That’s enough marketing speak, let’s dive into the features and benefits. There’s heat diffuser technology that has been built into the tyre’s sidewalls, assisting in keeping tyres cool under heavy loads. Important! When off-road, rigid tread blocks help dig for traction, as well as enhancing stability on-road. Speaking of off-road, a nice aggressive sidewall with offset shoulder blocks protect the vulnerable sidewall, while allowing for additional grip at low pressures.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 16-inch in diameter.

FEDERAL COURAGIA A/T

Federal Couragia A/Ts are positioned at the budget end of the all-terrain scale, however appear to be packed with features for on-road and mild off-road driving, starting with a chemically coupled silica tread compound, which should grip while avoiding chipping. Wide-angled lateral shoulder grooves are said to enhance on and off-road performance, with multi-angled zig-zag sipes for water dispersion. It’s great to see a budget all-terrain tyre with so many features, however, there are limited sizes in the range, so you will need to size up to see if the Federal Couragia A/Ts will work for you.  

Available to suit rims from 15 to 17-inch diameter.

GENERAL GRABBER AT3

We’ll stop laughing at the name of these tyres, because they offer some serious off-road credentials, even if they sound like the name of someone you’d avoid at a party. Grabbing in an off-road tyre is important however, and grip they shall thanks to the sidewall lugs, robust tread compound with reinforced blocks and an open shoulder that should assist with self-cleaning while playing in the soft stuff. A rim protection rib is good to see, providing protection to the bead area when playing in rocks (or pesky gutters). General Grabber tell us that this isn’t just an off-road tyre however, as they have incorporated uniform block geometry for even distribution and optimised tread block orientation. We don’t know what that means either, but they say it should allow for a quiet and smooth ride on the blacktop too.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

GOODRIDE SL369

Another less aggressive all-terrain, and one that is available in a huge range of sizes. Interestingly, they start in a 14-inch rim, which could come in handy for a smaller Subaru. Goodride come in at the more budget end of the price spectrum, but still offer multi steeped grooves and wide tread blocks for on and off-road performance. A nice square sidewall has been incorporated, as have zig-zag grooves for efficient water drainage and wet weather performance. So if you don’t want to spend too much, and don’t see a life of muddy quagmires in your future, the Goodrides might be one to check out.

Available to suit rims from 14 to 20-inch diameter.

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GOODYEAR WRANGLER ALL TERRAIN ADVENTURE

Is a quiet ride more important to you than pure off-road ability? Goodyear have described the Wrangler All Terrain as their most versatile tyre, able to rack a few 1000 kays on the highway, then do its thing off-road. Reports revolve around quiet on the road, long-lasting and sure-footed, which is what you want to see in a tyre. DuPont Kevlar has been incorporated into the tyre; it’s unconfirmed if this makes them legit bulletproof though. Traction ridges and open shoulder blocks help clear mud and snow, and biting edges help with traction in wet conditions. Another handy point worth mentioning is the Wrangler AT is available in a wide range of sizes; an important thing considering the wide range of rim diameters new vehicle manufacturers are providing these days.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch in diameter.

GT RADIAL ADVENTURO AT3

The GT Radial Adventuro AT3 has been designed to meet the compromise between a comfortable ride, with off-road capability. It’s also been designed (apparently) for those who want a tyre that looks the part but doesn’t come with the compromises of lots of road noise, weird balancing issues and low wear characteristics. It features a rim protector, sidewall shoulder blocks designed to bite into the road (whatever that means), and special compound with reinforced filler for decent tread resistance and longer life. All we know is Allan Moffat used to use GT Radials, so they must know how to make a tyre.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

HANKOOK DYNAPRO AT-M (RF10)

The Dynapro AT-m is another less aggressive all-terrain that should deliver quiet on-road performance while improving carcass strength over OE fitment rubber. Which belongs in the bin. A solid amount of tread wraps around the sidewalls for grip and increased strength; this is held in place with a nice thick sidewall, according to Hankook. A reinforced carcass increases steering stability on-road and helps when loaded up off-road. There are plenty of fitment options available, covering the traditional 31/10.5R15 right up to more modern 19-inch options found on some up-spec dual cabs and wagons. Hankook state this tyre is well suited to muddy or snowy conditions, and it’s safe to say it would be a handy addition to touring 4WDers looking for a bit more meat in their rubber and a little less hum in their ears.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 19-inch diameter.  

KUMHO ROAD VENTURE AT51

It’s safe to say that there are plenty of fitment options in the Kumho AT range, covering 15-inch to 20-inch, and with loads of options in these diameter ranges. This is a relatively new tyre from Kumho, designed to work well on and off-road. I guess that’s why it’s an all-terrain … enough of the dad jokes, the Road Venture AT51 incorporates stone ejector bars to prevent stone drilling, and a cut-resistant compound that is soft enough to grip off-road. Wider tread blocks increase contact area, as well as offering more stiffness to grip in the dirt and mud. It’s nice to see plenty of siping for wet weather performance, and some sidewall protection to keep that vulnerable sidewall in check.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch in diameter.

MONSTA TERRAIN GRIPPER

Is image everything to you? Does your 4WD need to look as good as it goes? Do you by chance own a Ford Ranger? Well, you should take a look at the Monsta Terrain Gripper. Just as happy on the beach as they are in the F45 carpark or at the boat ramp loading a jet ski, Monsta Terrain Grippers have been designed with comfort in mind, according to their team. One glaringly obvious feature, is the outside white lettering on the tyre, which can be run on the inside or outside. This uses solid white writing built into the rubber, so it shouldn’t scratch easily in the Maccas carpark. Monsta tell us that their range of tyres is affordable, but with the durability you’d expect in a high-end manufacturer.

Available to suit rims from 16 to 20-inch in diameter.  

MASTERCRAFT COURSER AXT

Mastercraft is a name more associated with drag racing and classic cars, so we’re stoked to see an all-terrain tyre being offered in Australia. There is also a decent range of sizing, however they tap out at 18-inch diameter. Tech specs include alternating shoulder scallops for handling and traction and stone drilling protection, because who wants a puncture in their shiny new tyres? Wider zig-zag shaped circumferential grooves help in softer surfaces and soft sand, which is where this tyre is going to be most happy. The Mastercraft Courser AXT is based off a traditional five-rib design as well, meaning there are five tread blocks across the face of the tyre. Well there you go!

Available to suit rims from 15 to 18-inch diameter.

MAXXIS AT980 BRAVO

Like that old-school in a tyre? Well, the AT980 is the tyre equivalent of a Series IIa Land Rover when it comes to looks. Maxxis describe it as a classic patters, and with the chunky tread pattern and nice square shoulder lugs, we’d agree. These should help in slushy off-road conditions, as will the aggressive sidewall. Maxxis tell us the AT980 Bravo has been designed to offer maximum road contact under heavy loads, as well as improved puncture and bruising resistance off-road. Maxxis also are offering MaxCoverage, which offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, two-year tyre roadside assistance, and a two-year road hazard warranty.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 19-inch diameter. 

MICKEY THOMPSON BAJA RADIAL ATZ P3

Another more aggressive all-terrain tyre option available in 2019, is the ATZ P3 from Mickey Thompson. In fact, the Mickey Thompson team tells us this is what you get when you cross a mud-terrain tyre with an all-terrain. An exclusive tread compound recipe has been incorporated, which in non-tyre marketing speak, means this tyre has been designed with performance and handling in mind. Wide lateral offset grooves, functional side biters and big shoulder blocks give you the bite you need off-road, while still providing solid road handling thanks to large channels allowing water to be expelled rapidly. This is certainly a good-looking tyre if such a thing is possible – perfect for those modern four-wheel drives that need to look good, as well as perform.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

MICKEY THOMPSON MICKEY ALL-TERRAIN 38

The Mickey All-Terrain 38 is not a race tyre; this is a genuine all-terrain designed to be used every day of the week. The All-Terrain 38 has an open-void tread pattern for off-road traction, as well as Micro Gauge Sipes for on-road performance. Two key points of focus with the All-Terrain 38 are carcass construction and compound formula. High tensile belts (claimed to be 15 percent stronger than high tensile steel belts), and high tensile cords (33 percent stronger than standard tensile), the Mickey Thompson team tells us this increased durability reduces the chance of tyre damage off-road. The chemically-coupled silica tread compound offers enhanced grip with improved cut and chip resistance. Combined, you’ve got an all-terrain tyre that is tough and grips on and off-road.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 20-inch diameter.

NITTO RIDGE GRAPPLER G2

Hybrid tyres are becoming more and more popular, for those wanting a strong tyre for off-roading, yet one that isn’t too much of an animal during the week. Basically, it's ideal for those that need more than most all-terrain tyres offer, but are not prepared to deal with the trade-off provided for daily duties with a mud terrain. The Nitto Ridge Grappler offers a choice between two or three-ply (I’d go straight for three – I buy tyres like I buy toilet paper), alternating shoulder grooves, and stepped block edges. That is engineering/marketing speak for the tread is closer in the middle of the tyres to provide a quiet-ish ride on-road, with enough meat on the edges to grip in the soft stuff.

Available to suit rims from 17 to 22-inch diameter.

PIRELLI SCORPION ALL TERRAIN PLUS

The Pirelli Scorpion has been around seemingly as long as the 4WD, however this is their latest incarnation. It’s more aggressive than the previous model, and while nothing is quoted, we estimate it to be a 30 percent off-road biased tyre. It’s certainly aggressive enough to get you out and about, while retaining those lovely road manners you want in a modern tyre and vehicle (if you drive one). A reinforced sidewall provides strength, as do the size and shapes of the tread blocks incorporated. An impressive amount of tread siping has been incorporated into the tread blocks, again to assist in wet road handling, while the more aggressive design (over the previous model) slices through mud and snow.

Available to suit rims from 16 to 20-inch in diameter.  

TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T II

A less aggressive all-terrain tyre, the Open Country A/T II is available in 15 to 20-inch in passenger construction, and up to 18-inch in light truck. And if you’re reading this here publication, you want the light truck. Features include staggered and scalloped shoulder lugs, deep tread blocks and two jointless cap plies for puncture resistance and high-speed durability. Sidewalls feature sidewall protection for more rugged appearance, as well as offering protection while off-road. Tie bars between tread blocks have been incorporated to improve dry braking and offer stability on corners.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 18-inch diameter (in LT construction).

YOKOHAMA A/T-S G012

Yokohama is a name that has been around for what feels like forever, and it’s great to see more innovation from the company in recent years. They have released a completely redesigned mud-terrain tyre that is getting positive reviews, as well as this one, the most aggressive A/T in the Geolandar range. Yokohama claims the main selling points of this product include puncture resistance, long-lasting, off-road traction and a quiet ride on highway drives. I mean, that’s kind of exactly what you want from an off-road tyre. Sizes are limited in the range sadly, however if you do purchase two or more tyres from a participating Yokohama dealer, you are covered by their Free Road Hazard Protection.

Available to suit rims from 15 to 17-inch diameter.